Gavin Rossdale Discusses Upcoming Bush Album ‘Man on the Run’

Bush rebounded strong in 2011 with ‘The Sea of Memories’ album. And after a lengthy tour cycle, Gavin Rossdale and company are set to unleash their new album, ‘Man on the Run,’ in October. ‘Loudwire Nights’ host Full Metal Jackie spoke with Rossdale about the forthcoming disc and also got some details about the singer’s guest turn on the upcoming season of NBC’s ‘The Voice.’ Check out the chat below:

It’s Full Metal Jackie on Loudwire Nights. Gavin Rossdale from Bush talking about the brand new Bush record, their sixth album ‘Man on the Run,’ coming out Oct. 21. Gavin, the first album ‘Sixteen Stone’ was released in 1994, quickly establishing Bush on a large scale. How much does the foundation of that album still affect what you’re doing now, working on a new album 20 years later?

Massively, because when I’m writing songs for a new record, the point is in order for them to live on the same setlist as the different songs from ‘Sixteen Stone’ we might play that night they have to have a certain sort of gravity to them, that power. So, it totally informs the writing of every record to take all the previous records into account.

When it comes to producing bands, Nick Raskulinecz, who did Foo Fighters, Deftones and Alice in Chains, he’s got a versatile ear. What has his expertise in producing your new music allowed you to do better?

With Nick, what I really wanted to get which I think we managed is, he comes from a very metal background. Very powerful records he’s made, so it was a case of never letting the power drop and keeping that emphasis up there. That’s what it was about and finding an engaging character to work with. Lots of people from Amy from Evanescence, Chino from Deftones and Dave from the Foo Fighters were all speaking in such great ways about Nick it was the obvious thing to call him up and see what he was up to.

Artistically and creatively, what’s been the most significant growth you’ve experienced since the last album, ‘The Sea of Memories,’ in 2011?

I think getting the confidence that doing Bush makes sense. And the confidence knowing that there are people out there that want Bush gave me the vibe to go forward and make a really quintessential, strong Bush record that people could relate to.

Having said that, I always want every record to be a standalone record. It can be like we never made a record before or after it that it would stand alone, and I think it does that. I like this life, I love being in Bush and I was really sad when I wasn’t in Bush so it’s nice to be able to do this record full in the knowledge that there’s a fever from the Bush army and the fans to get it done.

You recorded at Studio 606, Dave Grohl’s studio. That has some key gear from Sound City Studios, the site where so many monumental albums were recorded. Does any of the Sound City ambiance live on in Studio 606?

Well he has the desk, the console, yes. We in fact recorded ‘A Sea of Memories’ at Sound City. We did the drums on it. We were one of the last bands before we got yanked out of there. So Dave bought it and he and Nick actually built that Studio at 606. It’s incredible to go there, incredibly generous of Dave, great sound. It’s set up as you’d imagine, just to make great rock music and we try to not let the standard slip.

Gavin, ultimately what’s more important in terms of making sure your songs connect with people — lyrical content or the music itself?

That’s the genius of music for me, the mystery I love so much is the alchemy. It’s a combination of the two elements, or ten. You could say some moments are about a lyric and some moments are about the power of the guitars or the feeling of the drums or whatever. So it’s really, especially in my band, it’s about everyone pulling in the same direction and making it happen. What I’m most proud of on this record is the way that everybody really stepped up and delivered some great stuff. It’s fun for me to sit back and listen, when I was playing you the songs, I was laying back there on the couch remembering when I was making this record and how much fun it is when it’s done and finished and you’re just pressing play and turning the volume up. It beats the … I love all the other stuff, but it’s a nice feeling to finish.

You’ll join your wife Gwen Stefani on the next season of ‘The Voice’ this fall on NBC. How would you have fared on a network TV singing competition if such a thing existed when you started your career?

Horrible. I wouldn’t have made it past the auditions. For me, it was as much about the writing as the singing. So, I kind of took a lot of comfort in the fact that some people coming up may not have had the best voices but they could write some great songs. So, I was somewhere in the middle. I’d probably get blown away by all these singers.

What can you tell us about the first single ‘The Only Way Out’?

In a way, if you have a record that has some complex moments in it, it’s good to bring out the simpler moments. It’s one of the more straightforward songs on the record. Therefore, it’s the most immediate. It’s a good message, it’s uplifting and I like that. Everybody knows what it’s like to have challenges and everyone knows what its like to be tested. It’s nice to have an anthem to get you through that.

Definitely a positive vibe to that song.

Right.

It’s a good mood song.

Good. Excellent, finally! After all that darkness, the dark lord retires. Let some light in the room.

Anything you can tell us about touring plans for the U.S.?

No, I think the rest of the year will probably be about setting the whole record up, various one offs and festivals. Maybe some radio shows. I think it’s all gearing up for a January tour. People will get a chance to get sick of us again.

Looking forward to it.

Thanks to Bush’s Gavin Rossdale for the interview. Look for their ‘Man on the Run’ album Oct. 21. You can pre-order this disc via PledgeMusic here. Tune in to Loudwire Nights With Full Metal Jackie’ Monday through Friday 7PM through midnight online or on the radio. To see which stations and websites air ‘Loudwire Nights,’ click here.

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